36 | Affordable houses in Katikati The May 2024 site blessing on Heron Crescent marks a new era in elder housing for the town. The 26-unit project involves the construction of 15 additional new council-owned elder housing units as well as the replacement of the 11 original 40-year-old units. Western Bay of Plenty District Council: Heron Crescent T T Kim Newth REGIONAL DEVELOPMENT A recent site blessing on Heron Cresent in Katikati marks an exciting milestone for a major redevelopment project designed to boost affordable elder housing in Katikati. Led by the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, this exciting 26-unit project involves the construction of 15 additional new council-owned elder housing units as well as the replacement of the 11 original 40-year-old units. Providing housing at an affordable rate for those over 65 years and with limited means has long been a core commitment for the Western Bay of Plenty District Council, which also has more than 50 units in Katikati, Waihī Beach and Te Puke. This latest project is fully funded through the Better Off Fund ($4.6 million) and the Ministry of Housing and Urban Development’s Affordable Housing Fund ($5.8 million). It is the council’s second elder housing development in Katikati recently, with tenants having moved into seven new units built at Beach Road last year. According to figures released by the council, almost a third of Katikati’s growing population is aged over 70 years and most are on an annual income of less than $50,000. “Affordable housing for older people is a key area of concern in our District – need is increasing and supply is limited,” explains Council Chief Executive John Holyoake. “At the moment there is limited affordable rental housing available in Katikati for older people. “Providing affordable housing, especially for older people, often means they can stay in their community, and continue to contribute to the strong social networks that make Katikati so special.” Having listened to their community’s needs, the council has been proactive on securing funding to get more housing in Katikati and look after their elderly. The May 2024 site blessing on Heron Crescent, led by Sam Tangiia of Ngai Tamawhariua, marks a new era in elder housing for the town. These 26 new units are expected to be completed and available by August 2025. Heron Crescent is ideally situated, being close to town shops and services as well as a beautiful natural amenity, Diggelman Park. Construction work is getting underway this winter on the three new two-storey blocks that will have a mix of one-bedroom and two-bedroom units. The new units will provide purpose-built, modern, accessible and affordable accommodation for Katikati’s elderly community. “Every new home we build enables an older person or couple to remain an active part of the community,” says Council Team Property Leader, Nigel Sadler. “We’re very excited to be addressing, where we can, some of the hosing issues our rohe and people are facing.” Mount Maunganui-based company iLine Construction is leading the redevelopment work on site. A lot of site preparation has already been done to get the site ‘build ready’. Retaining walls and new fencing are in place, as is a new stormwater mains pipe and a new public path between Heron Crescent and Diggelmann Park. In the Western Bay and surrounding area, iLine has a strong track record of success on other local projects such as the Te Puna Commercial Zone and the Te Paeroa Road apartments in Bethlehem. Project architects for the new Heron Crescent units are Designgroup Stapleton Elliott, a leading architectural practice whose work is known for its conceptual clarity and harmony with the environment. Your trusted Main Contractor, proud to be the Design & Build construction partner on the Heron Crescent Elder Housing Redevelopment. We deliver exceptional quality projects across the Commercial, Industrial, Residential and Fitout sectors. iline.co.nz
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